TOYOTA GAZOO RACING READY FOR THE 24 HOURS OF THE NURBURGRING

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will compete in the 46th 24 Hours of Nürburgring Endurance Race, which takes place at the Nürburgring in Germany from May 10 to 13, 2018.

The Nürburgring 24 Hours Endurance Race is a demanding event that takes place over the course of 24 hours on a circuit that is 25km in length, has a maximum altitude difference of 300m, and features approximately 200 corners. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hours Race since 2007 with the aim of “refining people, refining cars”, and has represented the roots of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing ever since.

The employees who compete and grow in such a demanding environment embody Toyota’s philosophy of “making ever-better cars” at the company’s vehicle development bases. In addition, the Lexus LC, which will compete at the race, will incorporate advanced technologies*1 that will be refined and utilized in future production vehicles.

Last year, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing entered the Nürburgring 24 Hours Race with a single Lexus RC. Wishing to erase the disappointment of its retirement in 2016, the team united and completed the race, securing second place overall in the SP-3T Class.

This year, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will compete with the new Lexus LC. Having carried out numerous tests in Japan since the end of 2017, and having listened to feedback both from the car and its drivers, the team has worked hard to overcome the vehicle’s issues. As the speed of the car increases, so the load it experiences also increases; however, the team will compete with the goal of running for the full 24 hours.

Chief Driver

Takeshi Tsuchiya

We have conducted numerous tests in Japan, and we have completed two trouble-free pre-races at the Nürburgring. Everything has gone well so far. Having said that, each time we drive there, we sense that the Nürburgring must not be underestimated.

There are still many issues we have to resolve. As we overcome each one, we become better acquainted with the feeling of the car. It is my intention to converse with the vehicle as much as possible even during the 24 Hours race, so that I can understand the Lexus LC in more depth.

Looking ahead to the 24 Hours race, we will make careful preparations and do our best as a united team.

Chief Mechanic

Toshiyuki Sekiya (Employee of Toyota Motor Corporation)

We are here at the Nürburgring after conducting many tests in Japan. However, in order to drive safely at the Nürburgring, every aspect of the car must be outstanding.

Competing with the new Lexus LC is a difficult challenge, but by running at the Nürburgring we are able to see that the car is improving step by step. We will listen carefully both to what the car and the drivers tell us, and make the Lexus LC even better.

Many things will happen during the 24 Hours race, so we still have a great deal of room for improvement. I am convinced that we will be able to overcome the issues surrounding the car in the limited time remaining to us. We will further enhance both the car and the team before the race itself, and line up on the grid with confidence. I hope all of you will support us.

Lead Engineer

Kazuyoshi Ogata (Employee of Toyota Motor Corporation)

When we actually ran the car at the Nürburgring, we encountered unexpected issues. However, both the mechanics and engineers did everything they could to deal with them in a flexible manner. We have been able to see the performance of the car improving on a daily basis. We will continue to work hard with the goal of completing the 24 Hours race.